The family of Koan Meikleham, a young disabled man, have spoken of their sadness at losing their “beautiful boy”.
The name Koan is a Zen Buddhist term for a riddle or paradox and mum Pauline Meikleham said her son was both, defying medical opinion by living to the age of 24.
She said: “He was a mystery in that sense because there was never any specific diagnosis so we never put any limitations on him.
“At one time doctors weren’t sure if he would walk or talk but in fact he ran, danced and sang.”
Koan was supported by the Real Life Options service for people with learning disabilities in Broomfield Road, Montrose, where he lived for three years.
He had struggled with a chronic respiratory condition as a result of scoliosis and on March 6 struggled to breathe after a chest infection.
He died peacefully with his mum, sister, auntie, granddad and carers around him.
Pauline said Koan never complained and was “a truly happy soul” who delighted in the company of others and the simple things in life cake and custard in particular.
“While all who loved him are intensely sad to lose him, we are all so thankful we had him so long,” she said.
“As a child, due to his condition, it seemed unlikely he would make it to adolescence but despite the odds he grew to be a man and to enjoy a level of adult independence and a life filled with all the activities he enjoyed swimming, horse riding, drama, music and, wherever he could find them, parties.”
Koan’s grandfather Derek said the young man, who went to school at Kingspark in Dundee and then Lochlands Resource Centre in Arbroath, was out with him for pancakes the day before he died.
Derek said: “Everywhere he went he made friends. At Kingspark and Lochlands and Broomfield, so many people warmed to him and his personality.
The family have opted for a private funeral but a service to celebrate Koan’s life has been organised for Thursday March 21 at 2pm at the Royal British Legion on Dundee Street, Carnoustie, to which friends and extended family are invited.